Gleaner’s Brian Walker among 2018-2019 Chevening Scholarship awardees

For the second consecutive year a reporter employed to The Gleaner has been selected among the recipients of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.

This time it is Brian Walker, a 23-year-old parliamentary reporter, who coincidentally sits in the seat vacated by Jovan Johnson, who was selected in last year's batch.

Walker was on a high after he woke up to an email recently, which informed him that he gained a place at the London School of Economics and Political Science to pursue his master's degree.

"When I saw the email with the congratulatory message, I read it multiple times to ensure I was seeing correctly, and then I started to pray. I shared the news with family and friends who were all ecstatic and I literally floated on cloud nine for the entire day. Nothing disturbed my peace," said Walker, who will be studying social and public communication.

He believes the scholarship will not only be an achievement to be written on his resume but will provide an opportunity for him to conduct research that will assist with modernising Jamaica's justice system.

"I see myself helping to demystify the legal system by meeting citizens where they are and empowering them to seek justice through meaningful communication," added Walker, who is also the recipient of a number of Press Association of Jamaica awards.

SOLID BLUEPRINT

"Jamaica has a range of problematic elements, but I have a duty to be a part of the solution. I believe that Chevening will provide a solid blueprint for me to garner the best international experience and return to facilitate social change. I am honoured to be among scholars who in their own ways embrace Chronixx's wish for Jamaica to dry her eyes and smile."

The parliamentary reporter was quick to point out, however, that as a proud food lover, he does not intend to focus solely on the academics.

"I definitely intend to live deliciously during my Chevening stint by indulging in tradition meals such as Bubble and Squeak and Yorkshire pudding, in addition to exploring other cuisine," said Walker.

Two other journalists from the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, Vashan Brown and Giovanni Dennis, and the Jamaica Observer's Kimberley Hibbert, are among the 22 Jamaican Chevening awardees this year.